The Digital Fix: Music

X Factor - The SSE Arena, Wembley

After a fairly lackluster 2013, ITV reality show X Factor was back with a bang last year, beginning with a panel shake up that saw Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini returning to the fold.

2104’s final eight, all seemed deserving of their place, with each act offering something to brighten up someone’s Saturday night, including Grannie’s favourite Andrea Faustini, novelty act Stevi Ritchie and doing it for the kids – Only The Young. Season champion Ben Haenow was a worthy winner but I imagine runner up Fleur East will be the runaway success from last year’s series.

It certainly looked that way at the SSE Arena as FE completely stole the show with the songs she performed, including her take on Alicia Keys ‘If I Aint Got You’ and a ludicrously good ‘Uptown Funk’. I appreciate it’s a cliché that’s rolled out on the “X” every so often but she really does look like an act that’s been touring for years, with numerous albums under their belt, as her stage presence is phenomenal.

The rest of the evening was pretty entertaining, with highlights including a flying Stevi Ritchie, eight piece boyband Stereo Kicks proving they can harmonise with a spot on a capella break during one of their tracks and Only The Young rocking the house!

OTY were one of my Factor faves during the series, even though producers seemed to aim them at a younger audience. I’m interested to see what they’ll come up with off their own backs. I see them following the same path as Australian band Sheppard and if that was the case I’d be very happy indeed.

Ben Haenow

Fleur East

Andrea Faustini

Only The Young

Stereo Kicks

Stevi Ritchie

Lauren Platt

Jay James

Last updated: 06/08/2018 17:16:25

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